Ladies progress through to next round with home win
Exeter City Ladies progressed to the next round of the FA Women’s Premier League Plate with a 5-1 home victory against St Nicholas.City were without the injured Hollie Stone and Lola Garcia Sanchez, meaning starting places for Kirsty Caunter and Corinne Potts.
Grecians goalkeeper Carley Barber was called upon early to tip a 20-yard shot over the bar, but subsequently was rarely troubled when Exeter took the lead after 17 minutes, as Caunter’s corner was turned in inadvertently for an own-goal.
Helen Kukor stood up a cross for strike-partner Tash Knapman to loop in a headed effort for City’s second, and then Kukor scored on the cusp of half-time after some tenacious midfield play and a good release from Potts sent the striker through to finish hard and low.
Half-time sub Chloe Williams added a fourth before the hour-mark after a smart run and finish down the inside-left channel, although St Nicholas did claw one back with 15 minutes remaining as Barber’s clearance was charged down well by an opposing striker and cannoned into the goal.
But the four-goal cushion was re-established just two minutes later as Caunter’s vicious strike bounced back into play off the post, allowing Knapman to volley in her second and Exeter’s fifth. The win sets up a trip to Enfield in the next round.